Probus members hear of hospice history
Lochaber Probus Club completed its speaker programme for the session on Thursday May 4 with a fascinating presentation from Janet Sidgwick on the history and the work of Highland Hospice.
From its inception in 1983 to today and their commitment to palliative care throughout the Highlands, Janet spoke of the hospice help line and response service and their new work with Project ECHO (Extension of Community Health Outcomes), which was established in Highland in 2016.
This project has grown each year as they work closely with partners in NHS Highland, Highland Council and the voluntary sector.
It costs £7,800 every day to deliver hospice services across the Highlands with only 20 per cent of costs being paid by the NHS.
The hospice has many fund-raising activities but a major one is the network of hospice shops which last year raised £2 million.
Accompanying Janet at Probus was Andi Woodward who is the assistant manager of their new shop on Fort William High Street opposite Cameron Square.
This is classified as one of their “boutique shops” and is staffed by more than 20 volunteers.
Members were invited to consider giving some time to help with the shop.
In 2023 Probus speakers have included guests from Fort William Men’s Shed, Joanna Borciuch from Lochaber Hope and Carrie Kirkegaard of New Connections, and one of the club’s members, Judith James-Davies on the subject “Changing Horses Mid-Stream”.
Recently, the club has been involved in art workshops and a new activity is outdoor bowling thanks to the efforts of Probus member John Niblock.
The club is also planning to have the occasional sing-along.
Lochaber Probus Club meets in the education room of Lochaber Rural Centre at Torlundy, normally on the first Thursday of each month at 11.30am.
A £5 donation is requested at each meeting, to cover expenses, with most members staying for a soup and sandwich lunch which costs £10.
The final meeting of this session will be the AGM at Lochaber Rural Centre on Thursday June 15 at 12.30pm.
Membership is open to the retired and semi-retired.
If you want to find out more about Probus, or want to offer your services as a speaker, contact the club through our Facebook page Lochaber Probus Club or by emailing secretary, David Anderson, at lochaberprobus@btinternet.com.